Car coupler



June '8, 1937- A. J. BAZELEY icARCoUPLER Filed March 7, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y '8 ma N m m v mm A h M Patented June 8, 1937 PATENT OFFICE I CAR ooUrLEn Arthur J. Bazeley,

Shaker Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company,

of Ohio Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation Application March 7, 1936, Serial No. 67,586 16 Claims, (Cl. 213-167) This invention relates to coupler mechanisms and is more-particularly concerned with provisions of an improved arrangement for rotary operation of the locks of A. A. R. standard type E couplers. In the Bazeley Patent -No. 2,000,435, dated May '7, 1935, there is disclosed a rotary operating means for the lock, which means comprise a rotor lift lever mounted on a trunnion integral with a pair of flanges depending from the under side of the coupler.

In the .patent an uncoupling rod is releasably secured to either side of the rotor lift lever whereby the same may be operated from either side of the car. In the standard type E coupler most freight cars use only one uncoupling rod and the operation is therefore from only one side of the car. Some difliculty has at times been experienced in such cases by the rotor lift lever jamming between the integral trunnion and a transverse wall joining. the depending flanges at a point above the trunnion. This jamming usually occurs after the couplers have been in' service for some period and have had an opportunity forthe parts to'rust. It is, in part; caused by the weight of the uncoupling rod, where only one is used, which is applied to the leverlaterally beyond its point of support ,on the trunnion. such weight tipping the rotor lift lever laterally until the upper part of the hook-shaped portion;

0 thereof which isintended to engage the trunmon, trunnion on the guard arm side of the coupler; On the opposite end of the trunnion, that is, the side nearest the knuckle, the rotor lift lever remains in contact with the trunnion. When an attempt is made to operate means of 'the uncoupling rod,.the lever instead of sliding smoothly around'the trunnion, 'jams between the aforesaid two points and is at times impossible to operate so as to unlock the coupler. This condition is further aggravated for the reason that thecontact between the rotor lift lever and the hook-shaped portion of. the uncoupling-rod is such that upon initial movement of the rotor lift lever a couple is produced tend- I ing further to tip therotor lift lever so as to cause jamming between the wall and trunnion.

I have provided an improved construction applicable to E couplers now in service and which effectively overcomes this diificulty and permits the lock to be at all times moved-to unlocking and knuckle throwing positions without jam-.

ming of the parts. Inmy improved arrangement the uncoupling rod is supported on the rotor lift lever as close as possible to the guard contacts with the aforesaid wall above the the rotor lift lever by arm side thereof. .Moreveover, there is provided means whereby the contact between the uncoupling rod and lever causes a couple to be exerted, upon operation of the uncoupling lever, that holds the hook-shaped portion of the lever in engagement with the trunnion throughout the unlocking and knuckle throwing movements. The invention also contemplates means for preventing tipping of the uncoupling lever, particularly when it is in its normal locked position and at the'end of knuckle throw. Other features of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed. 4

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a standard A. A. R. type E vention, the coupler lock being shown in locking position,

. Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1, Figure 3is a fragmentary sectional view of the coupler shown in Fig. 1, showing the uncoupling lever in partially rotated position,

Figure 4 is an end view of my improved lifter having a -portion thereof broken away,'showing the engagement with the integral trunnion,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of my improved lifter member, Figure 6'is' a plan view of this same lifter, and

of the coupler Figure 'l is a front elevation showing a coupier, with my improved lifter, applied to a car.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a standard A. A. R. type E coupler having a head I to which a knuckle 2 is pivoted by means of a pin 3. Cooperating with the knuckle in the usual way is a lock 4 having a depending leg 5 extending downwardly into a slot. providedin the bottom of the coupler. The lock 4 in locking position-rests with its rear shoulder 6 upon the knuckle thrower 1. The cooperation of these parts all being standard are well known and will not be further described.

Extending downwardly from the under side of the coupler are a pair of transversely spaced coupler embodying my intoggle member is operatlvely connectedto the leg "of the lock in the usual mannen by means of a trunnion II that extends laterally into slot it in the leg 5 of the lock. Joining'the hook portion it and the arm I areflanges 2|, and 2i, which flanges are positioned substantially at right angles to each other, the flange 2| being in a substantially vertical plane. The hook portion it may be reinforced by upwardly extending flanges 22, and 28, that merge into the flanges 20, and 2|. Between the flanges", and 2|, is an opening 24 for reception of the uncoupling rod 2|. Extending laterally from the arm it is a shelf '26, which is in effect a downwardly extending continuation of flange 2l.' The uncoupling rod- 25 is bent in a reverse direction to form a U-shaped portion 21. This U-shaped portion'is passed through the opening 24 in themember i2,therod2l normally 'rest-. lngonthetopofflange2LasshowninFlg. l-

at ll.

In operating the device, the rod 25 is rotated from the side of the car in the usual manner and contacts the lever I! in two places, producing a couple which causes 'the lever to be moved about its pivot to actuate the look. In previous constructions the two points of contact between the u shaped portion of the rod and the rotor lift lever were diagonally opposite so that a vertical plane drawn through the points of contact A, B would extend diagonally forwardly toward the guard arm side of the coupler, as illustrated by the line x x in Fig. 6. In my improved construction the rod 25 contacts the rear of the opening 2|, that is, the portion nearest the hook it, at a point substantially midway between the iongitudinal center line of the hole and the knuckle side thereof. This is substantially the same point of contact as in previous constructions, but since the flange 2| is positioned as far laterally toward the guard arm side of the coupler as is possible within the limitations present in the coupiers now in service, I 'am enabled to move the opening 24 the maximum distance toward the guard arm side of the member if so that in effect the contact between the rod and lever at the rear of the hole 24 is moved toward the guard arm side of the coupler. Instead of the portion 21 of the rod contacting the'forward wall of the open- 3 'trials that there is no tendency for the rotor lift a lever II to be lifted free 'of thetrunnion on either 1s I ing 24, as in previous constructions, I provide this contact between the .under surface 2| of shelf 26 and the end 2| of the portion 21 of the rod. I prefer to have this contact take place between the end 2! and the outer extremities of surface 2|. This may be provided either by taper- .ing'the surface 28, as shown in Fig. 2, or by bending the end 2! of the rod slightly forwardly. :It

will be seen that the two points of contact C, D

between rod 25 and member i2, with my improved construction, lie in a vertical plane extending diagonally forwardly toward the knuckle side of the coupler, as illustrated by line Y-Y. As a result, a couple is produced on the member i2, which not only rotates it about the trunnion l but also tends to tip the member II in a clockwise direction, as viewed in. Fig. 4. This latter couple maintains the contact between the under surface it of the hook portion it and the trunnion I over the entire lateral extent of surface I I particularly on the guard arm'side of the coupler where culty has been experienced with other coast tions. It, has been found from actual side thereof.

It will thus be seen I have'provided means whereby the contact between the rotor lift lever and the trunnion is maintained through-- out the lock lifting and knuckle throwing movements, whereby the diiilculty experienced from the wedging ofv the lever between the trunnion I and wall II is eliminated. To further insure maintenance of this contact, and particu- 'iarlyduringthetimewhentherodisnotbeing operated and also during the preliminary move- -ment thereof, I provide proiections or heels aforementioned plane will, of course, move with it so that in any position of the lever from normal to unlocked position the projections 32 will assist in maintaining the contact betweenthe lever and trunnion. f

In Fig. 7, I have shown a coupler provided with my improved lifter applied to a car. The uncoupling rod 25 is shown supported at its inner end solely by the rotor lift lever l2 and at its outer end by abracket 33 secured to the car at a point higher than the -rotor lift lever. The axis of rotation of the rod is therefore inclined to the axis of rotation of lever l2. It will be clear from the preceding description that forces will be exerted by the rod on the lever which will tend to cause the latter to rotate about an axis parallifter between the trunnion about which it is pivoted and the wall above the trunnion. Such construction permits smooth operation of the rotor lift lever at all times, even when the parts have become rusted under service conditions.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications arepossible within the scope of the invention claimed.- I

What I claim is: 1. In a car coupler, a pivoted knuckle, a lock for said knuckle, a pair of downwardly extending walls on the bottom-of. said coupler and an intezral trunnion connecting said walls, a lever pivotally mounted on said trunnion and operatively connected to'said lock, and an uncoupling rod supported at one end by said lever for operating the same, said rodand lever being so constructed and arranged that upon operation thereof the points of contact between said'rod and lever iie in a vertical plane extending forwardly toward the knuckle side ofthe coupler.

2. A rotor lift lever for car coupler having a hook-shaped portion at one "end for pivotal mounting on the coupler and an at its 0pm.

site end adapted to be operatively connected to the lock of the coupler, a. pair of walls connecting said portion and arm and forming an opening therebetween, and a flange extending downwardly and forwardly away from said opening,-

and laterally away from said opening toward the knuckle side of the coupler when said lever is assembledin a coupler.

3. A rotor lift lever for car coupler having a ly and forwardly away from said opening, and laterally away from said opening toward the knuckle member andlock, said coupler having a trunnion side of the coupler when said lever is assembled in a coupler.

4. A rotor lift lever for car coupler having a hook-shaped portion at one end for pivotal mounting on the coupler and an arm at its opposite end adapted to be operatively connected to the' lock of the coupler, apair of walls connecting said portion and arm and forming an opening therebetween, said walls being substantially at right angles to each other, and a'fiange adjacent said arm extending downwardly at an angle to one of said walls.

5. In acar coupler including \a knuckle and a look, a rotor lift lever for said lock having a hookshaped portion at one end thereof, means on said coupler adapted to receive said portion for pivotally mounting said lever on said coupler to the rear of said lock, and'means comprising" a projection on said lever underlying a portion of said pivotal means for limiting movement of said lever away from said pivotal means.

6. In a car coupler including a knuckle and a look, a trunnion on said coupler, a rotor lift lever for-said lock pivotally. mounted on said trunnion and having an opening for receiving an uncoupling rod, an uncoupling rod passing through said opening and having a portion resting on said lever on the 'knuckle'side thereof and tending to rotate said lever laterally of the coupler and means comprising a projection on said lever -underlying said trunnion for limiting said lateral rotation.

7. In a car coupler including a knuckle and a look, a rotor lift lever operatively connected to said lock, means for pivotally mounting said lever on said coupler, and uncoupling rod for operating said lever, said lever having an opening receiving said rod, a flange on the knuckle side of said lever adapted to be'engaged by a portion of said rod, the metal forming said opening, the rod, and said flange being constructed and arranged so as to maintain said lever in surface contact with said pivotal means during operative movements of said lever to counteract the tendency of said rod to tip said lever.

, 8. In a car coupler including a knuckle and a lock, means for operating the lock comprising a rotor lift member and a toggle connecting said and said member having a hook-shaped portion for engaging said trunnion to pivotally support said member thereon, an uncoupling rod supported on said member, saidrod and member being constructed and arranged so that on actuation ofsaid uncoupling rod the latter will engage said member at such points as to exert forces thereon tending to maintain the hook-shaped portion of said member in engagement with said trunnion throughout the lateral extent of said portion.

9. In a car coupler including a knuckle and a lock; means for operating-the lock comprising a rotor lift member and a toggle connecting said member and lock, said coupler having a trunnion and said member having a hook-shaped portion for engaging said trimnion tb'pivotally support said member thereon, an uncoupling rod supported on said member, said rod and member being constructed and arranged so that o'nactuation of said uncoupling rod the latter will engage said member at points lying in-a vertical plane extending diagonally forward toward the knuckle side of the coupler to thereby exert forces on said member in such a direction as to the hook-shaped portion of said member in engagement with said trunnion through the lateral extent ofsaid portion.

10. In a car coupler including a knuckle, lock and a guard arm opposite said knuckle, a rotor lift member pivotally supported on said coupler for operating the lock, and an uncoupling 'rod supported on said member, said rod and memher being constructed and arranged so that on actuation of said uncoupling rod the latter will engage said member at points spaced longitudinaily and laterally thereof, the point of engagement nearest the hook-shaped portion'being farther towards the guard arm side of said memher than the other point of engagement.

11; A rotor'lift leverfor car coupler having a hook-shaped portion at one end for pivotal mounting on a-coupler and having an arm at its opposite end adapted to be operatively connected to a coupler-lock, a'pair of walls joining said portion and arm and forming an opening therebe- I tween, the laterally outer surface of each wall lying in substantially the same plane as the laterally outer surface of said hook-shaped portion on the same side of said lever, said opening being closely adjacent the wall of said levieiflon the guard arm side of the coupler when said lever is I assembled in a coupler.

12. Arotor lift lever for car coupler having a hook-shaped portion at one end for pivotal mounting on the coupler and. an arm at its opposite end adapted to be operatively connected to the lock' of the coupler, a pair of walls con- ,nectingsaid portion and arm and forming an opening therebetween, one of said walls being substantially vertical and having its laterally outer surface substantially in the plane of the laterally outer surface of said hook-shaped portion on the same side of said lever, and the other of said walls being substantially horizontal and having its laterally outer surface in substantially the plane of the laterally outer surface of said hook-shaped portion .on the same side of said lever, said opening being closely adjacent the wall of said lever on the guard arm side of the coupler when said, lever is assembled in a coupler.

13. A rotor lift lever for car coupler having a hook-shaped portion at one end for pivotal mounting on the coupler and an arm at its opposite end adapted to be operatively connected to the lock of the coupler, a pair of walls connecting said portion and arm and forming an opening therebetween, one of said walls being substantially vertical and having its laterally outer surface substantially in the plane of the laterally outer surface of said hook-shaped portion on the same side of said lever, and the other of said plane of the laterally outer suriace of said hookof the coupler andsaid opening walls being substantially horizontal and having its laterally outer surface in substantially the shaped portion on the same side oi! said lever, said vertical wall being on the guard arm. side being closely adjacent said vertical wall.

14. A rotor lift lever comprising a plurality oi arms one of which is adapted for pivotal connection with the under side 0! a car coupler, and the other of which is adapted for connection with the leg .of a lock, said arms converging downwardly and being joined by a plurality of walls with an opening between said walls, and a flange extend-" ing away from-said opening and laterally of the second-fnamed arm toward the knuckle side of the coupler when said lever is assembled in a coupler.

15. In coupler operating mechanism, a lock op-' erating lever mounted on the under side of a car coupler for rotation about a horizontal axis, an

uncoupling rod mounted at one end in a bracket adjacent the side of the car and above said horimntal'axis and at its other end beingcarried by said lever, the axis of rotation of said rod being inclined to the axis of rotation of said lever, and the connection between said rod and lever being so constructed and arranged that uponrotation of said rod the latter will engage the lever at such points as to exert forces thereon tending to cause said lever to rotate about an 'axis substantially parallel to the axis ot-rotation of said rod.

16. In coupler operating mechanism, a lock operating lever mounted on the under side of a -car coupler for rotation about a horizontal axis,

ARTl-IUR J. nliz'mmr. 

